Insulating Boot with Silicone Overmold for Electrosurgical Forceps

Abstract

An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another and one or more of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. An insulative material, e.g., silicone, is overmolded atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members, about the pivot and the distal end of the shaft.

1 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue;   a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another;   at least one of the jaw members being adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween; and   an insulative material overmolded atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, about the pivot and the distal end of the shaft.   
   
   
       2 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1  wherein the insulative overmolded material includes silicone. 
   
   
       3 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1  wherein each jaw member includes a proximal flange associated therewith and the shaft defines an outer periphery and wherein the insulative overmolded material is configured to allow the proximal flange of each jaw member to rotate beyond the outer periphery of the shaft. 
   
   
       4 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulative overmolded material is made of at least one of a viscoelastic, elastomeric, and flexible material suitable for use with a sterilization process that does not substantially impair structural integrity of the boot. 
   
   
       5 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 4 , wherein the sterilization process includes ethylene oxide. 
   
   
       6 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of jaw members are adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of treating tissue in a bipolar manner upon selective activation of the forceps. 
   
   
       7 . An electrosurgical forceps according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one jaw member is adapted to connect to the source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of treating tissue in a monopolar manner upon selective actuation of the forceps. 
   
   
       8 . An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:
 a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue;   a movable handle that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another;   at least one of the jaw members being adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the at least one jaw member is capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween; and   an insulative putty formed about the exterior surface of at least one jaw member, about the pivot and the distal end of the shaft.